The Lakelands and Inland Waterways World Pairs Angling Championship 2016 has been launched.

The cross-border event, takes place from 5-9 September 2016, and attracts top anglers from the UK, Ireland, Europe, challenging them to not only to catch the natural wild fish so prolific in the area, but to do so in partnership.

Over 100 entries have already been registered for the competition, which is based within a one hour radius of Killadeas on Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, and Garadice on the Shannon-Erne Waterway in Ireland.

Anglers from across the globe will undertake the challenge of catching wild fish in the picturesque Lakelands, with the added difficulty of doing so in partnership. Naturally, only the best anglers participate in this contest, in five locations over the five days.

Running the event across the border is an important feature of the competition for the sponsors, Lakelands and Inland Waterways, the tourism brand owned by Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland. It is a showcase for the excellent angling venues, but is their close proximity of a maximum 30 minute drive to the peg from the draw location which allows this partner event to work.

The Lakeland & Inland Waterways co-chairs Fáilte Ireland & Waterways Ireland continue to sponsor the World Pairs, with further support from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council & Leitrim County Council and active ground support from DAERA Inland Fisheries & Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Sharon Lavin, Head of Marketing, Waterways Ireland, said: “The Lakeland and Inland Waterways World Pairs has shone a spotlight on the high-quality and large quantity of wild fish challenging all anglers coming to Ireland's Lakelands. The competition has sparked a huge level of international interest and it is wonderful to see that reflected in the number of competitions now taking place in the Lakelands and the number of anglers travelling from abroad to participate."

Entry is still open – just find a partner and contact [email protected] to participate, or visit the website at www.worldpairsangling.com. The contest involves fabulous fishing in the scenic Lakelands, and includes new areas which had not previously been accessible.

A first prize of €10k and second prize of €5k head a list of awards which includes the DAIWA Cup. An individual entry competition will run inside pairs, with a full entry payout providing cash for five peg sections, daily by county, and a top ten overall topped up by £8,500 in tackle vouchers plus more from DAIWA Sports Ltd.